Human Factors in emergency flood rescue and developing optimal responder training

Living with Water: Perceptions, Processes, Responses and Mitigation of Flooding

To celebrate the University's research successes, the University of Hull is offering a full-time UK/EU/International PhD Scholarship for candidates applying for each of the following projects as part of a new research cluster.

Studentships will start on 16th September 2019

Summary of Cluster
The magnitude and frequency of flooding and the associated risks to infrastructure, economic activity and human life are known to be increasing due to changes in rainfall and storm intensity, frequency and seasonality, in conjunction with the pressures of increased development on floodplains and in the coastal zone. There is a need for society to adapt to Live with Water. This PhD cluster will focus on better understanding the impacts of flooding and improving the approaches to mitigating flood risk to societies. Improved understanding of the impacts of flooding requires an improved understanding of the processes leading to flooding and the processes active during floods; from the changes in fluxes of water and debris, through to emergency responders’ and the public’s behaviour and perception in response to flood events. The cluster brings together researchers in Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, Life Sciences, and Computer Science with social scientists and physical and numerical modellers in Geography and Geology.

PhD Project
Human Factors in emergency flood rescue and developing optimal responder training

This PhD takes a Human Factors approach to developing effective emergency flood rescue training. The project will employ psychological and physiological methods to (1) evaluate the mental and physical challenges facing flood rescue teams, (2) explore the validity of emergency flood rescue training, with a view to understanding if such training prepares emergency responders for the range of tasks to which they might be exposed and, (3) design optimal flood training protocols that enhance skill maintenance and prepare trainees for the extreme environment. This project will be carried out in partnership with Humberside Fire & Rescue Service and will benefit from access to current training provision.

Applicants should have a 1st class undergraduate degree in Psychology and/or Exercise Physiology with an interest in applied Human Factors research, or Masters level research qualification in a relevant discipline. A 2:1 may be considered, if combined with relevant experience.

For further details, please contact Dr Fiona Earle ([Email Address Removed]) / Dr Grant Abt ([Email Address Removed])

To apply for please click on the link below.

https://www.hull.ac.uk/choose-hull/study-at-hull/admissions/postgraduate/how-to-apply.aspx

Full-time UK/EU and International PhD Scholarships will include tuition fees and maintenance (£14,777 in 2018/19) for three years, depending on satisfactory progress.

PhD students at the University of Hull follow modules for research and transferable skills development and gain a Masters level Certificate, or Diploma, in Research Training, in addition to their research degree.

Interviews will be held between 7th and 27th February 2019

Successful applicants will be informed of the award as soon as possible and by 15th March 2019 at the latest.